Summer Series for Freelancers: Process-ize in 3 Easy Steps

Processizing the Processizing! It’s fun & easy. (original photo cc alancleaver_2000)

Processizing is like Jazzercising for your business, only way more useful… and involving no leg-warmers (unless, of course, you like ’em).

In [Jazzercise! Processize!](http://letsfreckle.com/blog/2010/08/jazzercise-processize/), we talked about all the reasons *why* you should Processize.

Today, we’re all about the HOW.

## Step 1: Identifying targets for Processizing

What can you Processize? Anything that you do over & over again. Here are some ideas to get you started:

* Talking points and questions for a potential new client
* Steps to take to create a solid estimate
* Rule sheet to help you decide if a new project fits your vision for your future
* Onboarding questionnaires for new client projects (all those angles you try to get inside their head)
* Checklist for all paperwork you need to create, sign, or have them sign
* Research map for when you need to gather materials, inspiration, or facts
* Flow chart for the basic segments of every client project you have
* Monthly (or other-ly) recipe for keeping in contact with old & new clients
* Recipe for handling mistakes, and/or angry or upset clients: If… then…

Yes, indeedy — there’s a lot you can Processize, no matter what type of biz you have.

This list is just the beginning. To find more Processizing targets in *your* biz, just ask yourself: **What do you do over & over?**

Especially if you ever happen to, you know, uh, slightly forg—I mean misplace—a step or two…

## Step 2: Gather & Distill

A Processizing document can be as simple as a bunch of items on a checklist, and as complex as a flow chart with hanging dependencies.

To create that, though, first you’ve gotta know what to put in it. Here are some excellent resources to get you started:

• How To Create The Perfect Client Questionnaire
  Asking questions up front can help you avoid design disasters and functionality failures, but sometimes the wrong questions can throw a serious cramp straight to your creative hamstring. Like stretching before a workout, limber up by asking the right questions at the beginning of your next big project.
• 42 Questions Every Freelancer Should Ask Their Clients
  These questions include everything from basic contact info, project specs, work agreements, and possibly most importantly, work philosophy. These 42 questions help raise red flags, well before a potential project goes down in flames.
• How to Extract the Facts with a Web Design Client Questionnaire
  This checklist goes even further into the “why” of a project to better understand the “what”. Knowing your client’s motivators can make it easier for you to offer the best solutions, and ultimately a better end product.
• Using a Pre-Launch Checklist for your Website
  We live in a world of accountability, not checkmarks. Lists can also be used to keep track of who’s done what and when they did it, so you can see where there might be a kink in the pipe line before the project goes bust.
• The Ultimate Website Launch Checklist
  Cross your i’s and dot your t’s, mind your p’s and q’s, and validate, validate, validate, with a detailed quality control worksheet.

“Working with a new client is like the first couple of dates. Lots of personal questions and guarded fascination.” –@Cennydd

## Step 3: Create!

This is where your particular Interpretive Jazzercise skills come in to play. Remember that you don’t have to answer to anyone but YOU when it comes to this process – go straight for the glitter pens if that’s what makes you happy 😉

When you’ve done all the heavy lifting and fancy footwork before it comes time to start work on a project, you can sit back and enjoy a stress free start to any project. and what the hell, go ahead and enjoy an ice cream treat of your choosing, after that workout, you’ve earned it!

photo cc Jenn and Tony Bot

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The Freckle Time Tracking Summer Series for Freelancers is better than the neighborhood ice cream truck (and without the annoying jingle, and line of clamoring children).

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